Last week we ventured out to Big Bend National Parl for spring break, it was our third trip out there and it was just as amazing and beautiful as our first two trips. That place never ceases to amaze me.

Here are a few of the places in the park we visited:

Emory PeakBalanced Rock

The Window

Black Gap Road

Santa Elena Canyon

Of course we stayed at our favorite place the Stillwell Ranch. Originally owned by Roy Stillwell and his wife Hallie Crawford Stillwell, it is very convenient, located just a few miles from the entrance to the national park. They have showers and real flushing toilets, not a luxury to be taken for granted in a place like Big Bend.

I brought some neat goodies back from the park this trip. I found these two really nifty bar towels made by Catstudio. I purchased the one for Texas and the one for Big Bend. I hope to use them as medallions for future Round Robin quilts. I haven't decided exactly how to use them yet though...any ideas are welcome.

Also, on the way back I got the oportunity to visit a few quilt shops in Austin. I visited Honey Bee quilts and A Quilter's Folly. I really enjoyed both stores, each had a wonderful selection of fabrics as well as very friendly, knowledgeable staff. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera with me so I didn't get any pictures of the stores and their awesome selections of fabric. If you're ever in Austin, stop by and visit the shops, you won't be disappointed.Happy Trails,Mary

Sunday, March 3, 2013

While searching around on the web seeking inspiration for a birthday present for a friend of mine, I came across this cute scarf. I just knew I had to re-create it for my friend's birthday gift. And while doing so, I decided to try my hand at tutorial writing. So here goes, a tutorial for creating your own lace infinity scarf.Tools: a rotary cutter, cutting mat, ruler, sewing machine, pins & matching threadMaterials: 1-25 inch cut of 60 inch wide jersey knit fabric 1-half yard cut of 45 inch wide laceStep 1: straighten out your cut of jersey knit using your ruler and rotary cutter. You want to make sure that you have the straightest piece of fabric you can to start with so that your scarf won't twist and bunch in ways that you don't want once its sewn.Step 2: Cut a 25 by 17 inch rectangle from the lace.

After cutting both fabrics I checked to be sure they were the same width.

Step 3: Join the lace and jersey knit together along one of the 25 inch wide sides with right sides together, pin in place (you don't have to use pins but it helps to keep everything from creeping apart as you sew).

Step 4: Sew with a 3/4" zig zag seam.

Step 5: Trim the seam to 1/4".

Step 6: Fold scarf in half with right sides together along the long sides, matching seams, pin. Sew with a 3/4" zig zag seam. (I changed thread in between the lace and the jersey knit because I didn't want the seam to be super visible on the lace.)

Step 7: Turn scarf right side out through the end.

Step 8: This is where it gets tricky. With the scarf right side out pin the ends together right sides together matching the seam. Turn the scarf partially inside out to make it easier to line up the lace and the knit. Sew carefully around the opening, joining lace to the knit. Leave 2-3" opening to turn the scarf back right side out.

Step 9: Flip scarf right side out through the small hole left in the seam.Step 10: Flip the remaining fabric to the inside and hand stitch the hole closed. I used a blind hem stitch.

Voila! your own lace infinity scarf.

Please let me know if the directions are clear enough to follow, if not I will gladly revise them.Happy Sewing!Mary

Friday, March 1, 2013

Baby shower gifts for a friend at work. I love to create gifts for people when I can instead of just buying something from the store. I feel like it's more special that way. These are some super easy burp cloths that take about an hour to whip up. The embroidery adds a nice personal touch. Want to make a few of these for yourself or a friend? I'll post a tutorial soon. Happy Friday! Mary